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The provision of energy involves complex supply chains and processes, often involving cross-border trade and the transportation and distribution of volatile substances. The commercial development of alternative renewable sources of energy will need to be environmentally-friendly, and demonstrate value in terms of cost, reliability, durability and performance.

Samples, products, services, management systems or personnel can be evaluated against specified requirements by testing and calibration laboratories, certification bodies, verification and inspection bodies (collectively known as conformity assessment bodies). Conformity assessment is used to check that products are fit and safe for consumption against a standard, a code of practice or regulatory requirements that bring confidence to the marketplace.

UKAS accredits laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025; General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories that carry out services in the energy sector. UKAS accreditation uses criteria and procedures specifically to determine technical competence. Laboratory accreditation assesses factors relevant to a laboratory’s ability to produce precise, accurate tests and data including the technical competence of staff, the validity and appropriateness of test methods, the suitability and maintenance of test equipment, the testing environment, sampling, handling and transportation of test items, and the quality assurance of test data.

Accredited laboratories carry out a wide range of testing on gas, fuels and oils in order to ensure that they meet their intended purpose. This ranges from testing the sulphur content or that the correct additives are present in the right concentrations, to the presence of bacterial contaminants or fuel degradation levels.

Laboratory testing is also fundamental to the proving of new technologies such as tidal and wind energy. Products such as wind turbines and PPV Solar panels are tested in an accredited laboratory to measure performance, durability, safety, and environmentally-friendly considerations.